Take a Tip from Walter: It’s Not About You

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I’ve spent a little time recently remembering Walter Cronkite.

I was just a kid when he dominated nightly news, but I’ve always felt like Mr. Cronkite was someone with whom I would really like to have dinner.

Every report I’ve read, every broadcast I’ve seen and every montage piece produced since his death has included some version of this idea:

“Walter Cronkite loved being Walter Cronkite, but it was never about him.”

Every leadership development program should include some version of that quote.

It’s not about you; it’s about the Customers you serve.

It’s not about you; it’s about the people you lead.

It’s not about you; it’s about the students who look to you as an example.

NY Daily News Editor & Columnist Lion Calandra met Walter Cronkite as an intern, and said this about him in a recent piece:

He was instantly kind, a grandfather with eyes that twinkled. He asked me about college, my family, my name, what I was doing at CJR, what I wanted to do when I graduated. He asked more questions than he answered. He listened. The journalism giant who interviewed the giants of history wanted to know what was on the mind of a lowly intern. To this day, the moment is not lost on me.

He asked more questions than he answered.

He listened.

He wanted to know what was on my mind.

I can’t imagine a list of good leadership skills not including those thoughts.

Interested in being a more effective leader? Take a couple tips from Walter:

Ask more questions.

Listen.

And always remember – it’s not about you.

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Tagged as: leadership development program, listening, questions, Walter Cronkite

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Connie McKnight July 29, 2011 at 10:31 am: Kevin,
“It’s not about you” is something we all need to remember, whether in leadership or not. If we serve and genuinely care about others, our needs will be met, as long as we’re coming from an authentic place. Listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give and when we listen with our heart, it feeds both you and the one you’re listening to.

Walter Chronkite had some great lessons to teach. Thanks for sharing them.

Connie